There are many within the community who have in their possession a card identifying them as members of the Natchez Association for the Preservation of Afro-American History and Culture.

On behalf of the board of directors please allow me to say thank you for allowing us to place your name upon our rolls. As we continue our 2007 membership campaign, we ask that you assist us in our efforts.

Staring in July we will begin to focus our efforts towards our local churches, community and civic organizations.

When the topic comes up, we hope that you will lend an endorsement of our efforts to complete the telling of the Natchez story.

If you should fail to hear about it in your travels, then please be so kind as to bring the subject up. Together we can make our community stronger by our combined efforts.

Before George Washington, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson rose to prominence in our nation’s history, 60 years before John Hancock placed his famed signature upon the Declaration of Independence, people of African origin have were making contributions toward the development of this community, since the French first introduced slavery to the region in 1716.

At least there is a venue that attempts to put into perspective the value of those contributions.

In the weeks to come, we hope to continue in our efforts to restore our home at 301 Main St., in order to better preserve and present the images and artifacts of the Afro-American community.

We ask that you consider lending a helping hand. Share with us your family stories, photos and recipes for our archives. As we have had a shared history in the past, we also will share in the future of Natchez and its surrounding areas.

We will need a host of volunteers to assist us in preparing for the future as a community. If you don’t have a membership card, you truly need to get one.

The NAPAC Museum is developing a partnership with various groups and organizations including the City of Natchez, the National Park Service, the Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration, the Richard Wright Centennial Committee, the Historic Natchez Foundation, Natchez Pilgrimage Tours, Friends of the Forks of the Road Society and the Natchez Community Alliance to name just a few.

We are eager to add the name of your churches and organizations to our list of community partners.

Darrell S. WHITE is president of the Natchez Association for the Preservation of Afro-American Culture.